Philosophies for working with students in Residence Halls

Student Services Approach Custodial Care and Moral Development Approach A Business- like approach to running Residence Halls- the Res. Halls are just another service the University provides and should be run according to customer satisfaction. This philosophy attempts to control the student’s environment in a way to control the behavior of the students to instill the values of the institution. Policies such as no-alcohol, or tobacco, dress codes, no opposite-sex visitation, etc. would be used by an institution with this philosophy.

Student Learning Approach Student Development Approach This approach reflects a universities focus on Student learning, including student development, personal development, etc. The university ‘s resources are allocated to encourage learning, Housing professionals collaborate with professors to increase student learning, All staff work together to create an environment in which students can learn Universities with this approach believe: 1.Students develop in stages 2.Students create change for themselves and their institution 3.Res. Hall staff should assist students with their goals 4.The whole student (intellect, physical, emotional, and spiritual) needs to be considered. This approach is time consuming and costly on amount of staff & time invested in meeting with students to set goals and guide in goal achievement.

Most universities have blended these approaches and created a philosophy that includes all of the following: 1.Business and Money Concerns 2.Standards of Student Behavior 3.Environments conducive to student learning 4.Programs and Tools to assist in student development

Living and Learning Centers

What are they?  A form of a residential college.  Attempts to link the relationship between the classroom and out of class experiences.  Offer academic courses for credit and programs specific to the center.  Increased interaction with faculty who often live in the Residence Hall.

Learning Communities Degree-granting Residential Colleges Themed Communities in which students in specific majors live together, take the same classes. These could also be “FYE” Freshmen Year Experience Communities in which students are all freshmen and are all in the same classes. Other examples: Honors Housing, Music Major Housing, etc. These are the traditional form of Residential Colleges and are very rare. Almost all aspects of the student’s college life would be contained within their residence hall- eating facilities, classes, faculty offices, etc. This Residential College program is oriented to produce a degree at the end of the program.

Southeastern’s Learning Communities Resident Assistants consider these student similarities in programming, some areas have increased Departmental Support. Business Student Housing: Tangipahoa Hall STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Housing: Cardinal Newman Hall Music/ Band/ Spirit Group Housing: Taylor Hall Athlete Housing (Football, Basketball, etc): Taylor Hall Honors Housing/ 24 Quiet Hour: Louisiana and Livingston Halls International Student Housing: Taylor Hall Potential Greek Women: Village M Residence Hall Upperclassmen: Southeastern Oaks Apartments Fraternity and Sorority Students Greek Village Service Community Initiative St. Tammany Hall Cohort style: College of Education

Challenges to having LLCs Physical Space has to be available in the Res. Halls for classes, faculty offices, commons areas. LLCs can be expensive- additional funding for in-house faculty, extra student aides. Students may need special equipment for success- computer labs, study rooms, etc.

Benefits of Living and Learning Communities Students perform better academically Students felt the LLC was friendlier than a traditional residence hall. Students felt they had a better social climate than a traditional residence hall. Students who lived in a LLC were more likely to live on campus for a second year. Students showed greater personal development than those not in the LLC. LLC students were more likely to graduate.

How can I help my floor become more of a learning community? Help connect students in the same classes to form study groups. Create an area of your lobby welcome to studying. Allow your students to see YOU studying. Try to have professors attend building and floor programs- make a “Faculty Friend.” A Faculty Friend is an instructor who agree to hold at least one program per semester in the residence hall. They are a resource for the students in the Res. Hall. Tell your students about quiet areas around campus that are good areas for study time, group projects, etc. Be aware of campus academic resources & promote them to your students (Math Tutors, Writing Labs, etc).